Legal Issues in Romeo and Juliet

This chapter explores the transformation of the concept of justice in Elizabethan society, focusing on its representation in Shakespeare’s works, particularly Romeo and Juliet. It examines how the legal system shifted from private vengeance to public justice, highlighting the role of theatre as a critique of the corruption and violence within legal institutions. The essay also analyses the themes of legitimacy, identity, and the patria potestas, linking them to modern legal concepts such as equity and human rights.